Communication Theory
Communication Theory
With organizations becoming increasingly global, cross cultural communication has become an essential part of global organizations. Globalized business world means people from different parts of the world need to interact with each other. With effective communication, everyone involved in the process enjoys the benefits of increased knowledge, bandwidth and competitive advantage. On the other hand, ineffective communication can easily confuse, offend, or send misconstrued information that could break relationships with partners, customers, employees, and vendors. There are different forms of barriers that are seen in cross cultural communication that can cause breakdown of communication such as language barriers, cultural barriers, and presentation style. These barriers combine together to make the communication among people from different cultures tougher and complex and has negative impact on business (Kutz, 2013).
Research Question
How does knowledge of different cultures or languages help in overcoming communication barriers in business context?
Literature Review
Many organizations that will grow in the coming future have one thing in common; they all have been working to master working across different cultures. Businesses that understand the differences in culture are able to modify their strategies for different countries would witness success in global context (Hummel, 2012). Having a cross cultural understanding is highly valued among employees as they can understand the behaviour of customers from different cultures and prepare modified solutions. With different cultural themes and communication methods, cross cultural communication is highly important to overcome any form of barriers faced by global business.
International businesses are not only cross border in nature, but it is also cross cultures. Culture has an influence on the way people communicate, think, and behave and negotiation is completely different for different cultures. Understanding of different cultures can help in communicating effectively and overcoming any barrier that can hinder the negotiation. Negotiation in the global business environment requires cultural understanding of other party’s culture and making sure the other part is respected and heard in the process. Understanding of other’s culture makes the negotiation process smoother and helps in understanding each other’s needs (Salacuse, 2005).
As businesses become global, people are now informed about different lifestyles, cultures, living conditions and traditions prevailing in different parts of the world.
In the globalized world, the common barrier faced by businesses and employees is communication. Difference in languages and cultures build a wall between organizations from two different parts of the world. There are several challenging situations faced by employees while interacting with people from other countries and cultures. When employees speak the same language or they are aware of their culture, it becomes easier for businesses and employees to perform their work (Muhammad, 2015).
All international business operations require communication between parties involved. Within the global business environment, different activities such as decision making, exchanging ideas and information, motivating, negotiating, and leading are dependent on the manager’s ability from one culture to communicate effectively with people from other cultures. Effective communication becomes a challenge for managers when the workforce comes from different cultures and speaks different languages. Two-way communication is effective when the parties involved in the process are able to understand each other rather than need interpreters to take a meeting (Adler, 1991). Having consensus on the communication styles and language makes it easier to operate in an international business environment.
Methodology
The research will be conducted with a sample of 10 international employees working in Tokyo, Japan. The research will be conducted on the basis of a qualitative research method called observational study. The behaviour and performance of employees working in an international country will be evaluated. Their communication results will be measured with interviews from their customers and employers. The positives and negatives of communication process used by all employees under the observational study will be noted. On the basis of the results from the customers and employee’s review from employers, the final result will be concluded on the research question.
5 of these employees are fluent in Japanese and well aware of the Japanese culture and 5 do not speak the language and are alien to the Japanese culture. The research will be conducted on the basis of their performance at the workplace and analysis of their relations with their clients and employers. Each employee’s performance will be targeted over a period of time and weekly reports will be made on the basis of their results and relationship with their customers. The positive and negatives of their performances will be noted and final conclusions will be reached on the research question.
This research method would give qualitative information on the issue and valuable information from the performance of employees in the observational study. Also, employees can be interviewed about their experiences in the foreign country. They can give first-hand experience of working in the international market and identifying the importance of understanding different languages and cultural practices. But, it is possible that their answer might have an individual bias as some non-speakers would not agree to the troubles faced in the international market to save face.
References
Adler., N.J. (1991). Communicating across Cultural Barriers. Retrieved 29 February 2016 from, https://global.duke.edu/sites/default/files/images/NancyAdlerCrossCultComm..pdf
Hummel., D.P. (May 2012). Understanding the Importance of Culture in Global Business. Retrieved 29 February 2016 from, http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/profit/archives/opinion/050312-dhummel-1614961.html
Kutz, K. (2013). Barriers to Cross Cultural Communication. Norderstedt, Germany: Grin Verlag.
Muhammad., A. (20 May 2015). Impact of culture on international Business. Retrieved 29 February 2016 from, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/impact-culture-international-business-ali-muhammad-mba-acca-uk-
Salacuse., J.W. (May/April 2005). The top ten ways that culture can affect international negotiations. Retrieved 29 February 2016 from, http://iveybusinessjournal.com/publication/the-top-ten-ways-that-culture-can-affect-international-negotiations/
